Issue date: 4/25/03 Section: Entertainment

We are waiting for a time when music comes full circle.

Since the eighth grade, the great majority of any positive cash flow for me has been quickly sunk into music. As I grew older, my collection of CDs became much larger, diversified and proved to be a worthwhile investment. As some people use their portfolio as the yardstick of their success or fulfillment, so too do I view my music.

Music has a very therapeutic value for me; there are few situations of personal crisis that do not have a very specific album or artist to help clear the air.

I've always been a fan of older music, but only recently have I become interested in older music formats. I'm talking about vinyl LPs.

Philips and RCA and all those companies that claim responsibility for the production of the CD cite its ability to hold more music, the flawless digital sound and the durability as indicators of its superiority. Some music, however, just sounds better coming through with the warm analog sound.

Listening to a record is analogous to writing by hand, while listening to a CD is like banging away on a computer keyboard. Sure, there are advantages, but sometimes you just have to feel the pen on the paper. Some music was meant for our ears in this way.

But beyond that, there are many reasons to defend listening to LPs as more than a college student fad. The obsolescence of LPs has contributed to their scarcity, making it a treasure hunt to search for that favorite record. Some new music comes out on vinyl, and can be easily purchased without much search. To find that copy of Ol' Waylon, however, requires significant effort on the part of the collector.

When you finally find that copy in a record store somewhere, it's that much more meaningful for you. You have so much more invested in it emotionally, even though it's still just stuff.

Furthermore, finding that treasured prize requires looking in smaller, locally owned shops. Tower Records and the Virgin Megastore carry the brand new albums coming out on vinyl, but to find older music we have to go to stores like Anthropop in Little Rock, or the now bankrupt Blank Generation here in Conway. Because you buy records used, the record companies get no money from our purchase-something some folk take comfort in.

Buying at these smaller establishments also requires actual human interaction. Many records stores have such a vast collection that finding the record you want requires talking to someone who works there. Just asking may lead to a conversation, something that you won't find at a larger, national establishment.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools